Pedro Martinez has proven himself in the big leagues in his seventeen year career. J.A. Happ has proven himself in his two year career.
Happ wins.
When Martinez finishes his time in the Phillies minor leagues, he will join the team and what he'll be doing is anyone's guess. But he's a starting pitcher by trade and everyone understands that. We also understand that results are all that matters. And for all his experience, Happ's results in the big leagues are current. And they are impressive.
He may have a lot to prove over his career, but for the time being he's proven he belongs where he is. He's in the Phils starting rotation with an 8-2 record and a 2.74 ERA.
Martinez has to prove he deserves to be in the rotation, right? Well, maybe not. There's chattering about Jaime Moyer going to the bullpen and that both veterans are candidates.
What's Charlie Manuel to do with all these starting pitchers? He has a lot of decisions to make, but Phils GM Ruben Amaro publicly stated that Happ is a keeper in the rotation.
Truth be told, it hasn't felt like a five man rotation much of the time. Cole Hamels has struggled, as has Moyer. The top of the rotation feels uncertain often, but with the acquisition of Cliff Lee, the Phillies are hoping there's an overall turnaround. Hamels is going through some growing pains and will come out of it. Lee's presence could possibly alleviate some of the pressure.
But J.A. Happ is not part of the problem. There should be no question about the young player's place in the Phillies starting rotation.